Home >> Science & Nature >> Insects & Science

How to Make a Black Widow Spider

A bite from a black widow spider can be deadly for young children or the elderly as its venom is 15 times stronger than that of a rattlesnake. Most adults who have been bitten, however, have not reported any serious damage. But, the spider's venom can cause nausea, muscle aches or paralysis of the diaphragm. The black widow is identified by red markings on its large abdomen. You can make your own black widow using some simple materials.

Things You'll Need

1 small foam ball
1 large foam ball
Toothpicks
Black pipe cleaners
Glue
Paint (black and red)
Paint brush

Instructions

- 1
  Paint the foam balls and toothpicks black. Once the large foam ball is dry, paint two large dots of red directly in the middle. These are the distinguishing marks of the black widow spider.
- 2
  Glue the smaller foam ball, forming the front part of the spider's body, to the larger foam ball, forming its abdomen. Squeeze them together so they stick securely. Push a toothpick through both foam balls to hold them in place.
- 3
  Press four toothpicks into each side of the smaller foam ball. Line them up so that they are in the same position as the eight legs of a real black widow. The legs splay outward in a triangular shape. Check that the red markings on the back of the larger ball are facing upward.
- 4
  Count out eight pieces of black pipe cleaner, each measuring 6 inches long. Each of these is the spider's legs. Use about half the length the pipe cleaner to wrap around each of the toothpicks.
- 5
  Bend the pipe cleaner at the end of the toothpick, forming the lower part of the spider's leg. Finally, finish off the black widow by pressing two, half-inch lengths of toothpick into the front of the smaller foam ball to make the spider's antennae.

Insects & Science